I was just looking at [MENTION=399166]thumpism[/MENTION] 's Schwinn Cimarron- it's not a stock build, not a modern build- but it's very beautifully classically put together. Yes, some of the components are from a few years earlier than the bike, so technically they don't "go with" the frame- but they're perfect on there.





I have a "thing" with Suntour MTB derailleurs. To me, the XC Pro and XC Comp derailleurs are the perfect combination of "business" and gracefulness- I don't see it as "wrong" being on most any bike. However, each of my 3 touring bikes are from 1984 and 1985- but I still outfitted them with derailleurs from 90-94. Yes, it's "wrong" and I'm sure there's a purist that's gritting his teeth because of how I've "wrecked" or disrespected the bike...








However, the only time someone's ever mentioned that I made a silly choice in my build was using the tri-color stuff on my 1986 Trek 400 Elance:






What are some of the bikes that have components that don't belong on there that make that bike perfect?

When she's super hot, but still your cousin.....?

I have just the Frankenbike for this thread...



Peugeot UO-14
Front wheel: Maillard/Matrix from an old Trek 620
Rear wheel: Matrix rim from same 620 built on to an AW 3speed hub with 14 & 24 cogs
Shimano crank & Light Action RD
Shifters: SunTour Power Thumb & S-A trigger
Japanese post, stem & bar
Dia-Compe levers & Mafac Racer brakes
Kenda 27x1-1/4 knobbies
Avocet saddle in photo (now a tan suede Italian)

This machine is just awesome for bombing down the rail trails and dirt roads.

The only "wrong" builds are builds that don't function properly.

Japanese mtb components on an Italian race bike;

My Jeunet is oh so wrong but gets 'er done with style. Jeunet frame, Suntour GPX wheels, shifter, and rear derailleur, 70's Huret shifter mount, 80's 600 brake levers, unknown leather saddle, cottered steel cranks, and, now that the original stem broke, an 80's Japanese stem from the Centurian that donated all the 80's Suntour stuff.

I worry about function first, then if a build is "correct" later. Sometimes never.

Jeunet at Interurban by tashipeacock1, on Flickr



She's in for a bit of a rehab right now, cottered cranks will be gone, most components will be 80's 600 and the wheels will be all silver and I'll add a front rack. Still won't be "right" (french) but it'll look sharp, work quite well and cost very few dollars.

I'm honored that one of my bikes was the inspiration for this thread, but the reasons behind the build were pretty straightforward. I'd built all those sundry parts on a different frame in '82 just to have a MTB, and when I got the Cimarron frameset a couple of years later I just moved the parts over. Tada!

Thanks for the props. Hope I haven't burst any bubbles, but I believe if you build what you like and it works, that's all you need.

If you think this is a wrong/right combo, look for my new thread on Ramona.

The late 1980s Cimarrons lend themselves to reinterpretation IMHO, as they are a bit of a throw back with the FB head tube. Styling really looks straight out of Schwinn's 1960s/early 1970s playbook.

One of my 1973 World Voyageurs was all wrong vs original. It had a MTB triple crank, 1990+/- Deore XT RD, Suntour FD, Suntour DT shifters, center pull brakes off a 1980s Nishiki, late 1980s 700C wheelset, etc.

It was easy to make so many changes as all of the original parts were either MIA or toast.



When it arrived like this, I figured I could do whatever in building it up.

(Got to find the picture, I'll insert later)

I had just as much fun with this 1990 Schwinn Sierra. When it came to me like this (scrap pile at the co-op), it was wide open as to how to finish it.

When everything that can come off, comes off.

[MENTION=47570]Barrettscv[/MENTION] That Simoncini 'cross bike is fabulous!
The only things "wrong" with it are the smooth tires and the road pedals...
oh, and it's too clean, but so beautiful I'd have a hard time getting it dirty.
Brent

Is this wrong?




Campy brifters, f derr, and brakes (Record 2 pivot on the front, single pivot on the rear), Shimano cassette and XT derailleur, TA cranks, SPD pedals.

Brent

Yes, the bike gets TLC and stays on good quality and well maintained gravel or on pavement. It's as fast as a road bike with the Parigi-Roubaix slicks but has super smooth ride on rough surfaces. If I need to go off-road on grass or mud, I use a modern plastic Cyclocross bike.

An effective mix of French, Italian & Japanese components make for an all-star international team.

UO-8, bought as a bare frame when I worked at a dealership, outfitted w/ Sugino aero aluminum crankset (165mm to eliminate toe-to-wheel overlap), Araya aluminum rims, MKS quill pedals, SunTour barcons and Cyclone rear derailleur, ultra-6 speed SunTour freewheel, Shimano Titlist front derailleur, modern Blackburn pump which fits the downtube pegs and actually works, reduced-rake chrome forks. Best of east-meets-west in a budget build, with a great powertrain on one of the better low-end plain carbon steel frames.

I have no problem mixing components' years or brands if the goal is to build a great functional bike. Chronologically or culturally correct components are nice for aesthetics, but for many bikes that's not the goal, not a high priority. My UO-8, like JE's and so many others here, has a mixture of functional components, mostly Japanese.

I do see something seriously wrong with that bike though. You really need to add a brace of links to the chain. If you don't then one day you will unintentionally shift to the big-big combination and then the rear wheel or the DO or you could take serious hurt.

Everything is wrong with this build. Even the pictures are wrong. 1981 Miyata 912 with my rattle can paint job, SR Royal stem with Custom bars, Suntour Barcons, Cyclone Derailleurs, Arabesque Crankset, Dura Ace Brake Levers, Dia Compe Brakes, Miche Hubs with Mavic MA 40 rims and a Suntour 6 speed freewheel. Seems right to me though.

TGB, Probably my best input for this thread...My son's French Fit build:

Olmo Professionista, Suntour Blaze/Shimano/Campagnolo mix with Sun Mistral rims. A very well functioning and attractive bike.



Brad

My Heinz 57 winter commuter? It's a mutt for sure: $30 frame from CL and the parts came from an old stumpjumper, an old racing bike, and an old 3 speed plus new pedals and cantis,



@ The Golden Boy: what is that humongous transverse bag gracing your blue Trek 600 series bike. Is that a carradice or something else?

I've been hoping we didn't go there ...

Well Robbie does live in one of those Appalachian states.

Here's the Ramona I mentioned, built in '83 for my then-girlfriend from a found Chiorda frameset. She chose the color combo and I did everything else. I really liked this thing and it has just returned to our fleet after several years away.

Our preacher ran off with a 15-year old.
People were pretty mad.
Even madder when I asked, "Well, what did she look like?"

(Rim shot). I think you had to be there....

All of my builds are mutts. Since I do not have a racing background, I have no brand allegiance.


My early 80's something 753 Woodrup.

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My 2011 Rivendell
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Early '80s Panasonic Sport 500 frame that doesn't fit me quite right (note stem, bars, seatpost)
Replaced fork (and front fender) due to original fork inexplicably splaying out mid-ride and taking the fender with it.
Crankset from '83 Fuji Royale II that was totaled in a collision with a car, with Fyxation Mesa platform pedals and Origin8 chainring
2014 Sturmey-Archer XL-FD front drum brake hub
1971 Sturmey-Archer AW 3-speed hub, controlled by Shimano 105 ST-5510 brifter (and mismatched right-hand lever as a result)
Both hubs laced into 700C CR18s with 35mm tires